July 2006

New adult fiction authors

By Wally Bubelis

Every year brings more books and a lot of new authors to young adult fiction. What used to be a niche market is now a large industry unto itself within the publishing world. But with all those choices out there, who wants to spend their entire summer looking for just the right book? Here are some of the best new books for teens from the past year.

Joan Bauer's sequel to Rules of the Road is called Best Foot Forward, and it shines with Bauer's typical charm.

Imagine the scene of a placid bullock standing quietly tethered in the middle of the dense jungle clearing. The thick forest around the animal is teeming with the sounds of predators moving stealthily in the bush. Hungry eyes glitter in the jungle, watching the critter quietly munching the lush grass.

That bullock is you, the West Seattle and North Highline taxpayer.

Those predators gathering in the bush eyeing your bank account are city, county, state and even federal politicians and bureaucrats.

The Celtic Swell is a swell Alki Resident, a restaurant serving tasty, reasonably priced, generously portioned food plus excellent cold, foamy beer and hot, strong coffee.

I'm 80 years old and know what I'm talking about because I eat there fairly often for lunch and dinner and have always been pleased with the service and surroundings.

I just wanted to pass on my compliments about Rebekah Schilperoort's reporting. She is easy to talk to, clear in her questions and writes a unbiased, informative story.

Thank you for keeping our community in West Seattle informed.

Lynette Martin

co-president

Pathfinder PTSA

I was shocked and saddened to read Larry Mellum and Ron Hanlon's letter to the editor regarding the closing of Charlestown Street Cafe.

They have both poured their heart and soul into this family restaurant which has given so much back to our West Seattle Community. Thank you both for always greeting my family with a welcomed smile, with balloons for the kids, for your great sunny deck, award-winning chowder and awesome Montana potatoes and especially for saying "yes" to contributing to the local schools, sports, and youth programs in West Seattle.

This letter is in response to Carol G. Longfellow's letter in the June 14th Herald, "Yield to pedestrians on Admiral Way."

I just wanted to cheer when I read the article. I have lived on 50th SW for 45 years to cross Admiral at 49th & Admiral. I walk with a cane and one day I stood on that very corner trying to cross in the crosswalk.

Peter Stekel's pleadings for more taxes (Tax cut dangers, July 5) overlook the important fact that not a single taxing district in Seattle collects less tax than it did once, five or 10 years ago.

Why do we foolishly think we citizens have any say whatsoever in what happens to our city - especially with a mayor like Nickels?

Recently, I gave my opinion via e-mail about how the tunnel benefits only the wealthy. Here is, verbatim, Mayor Nickel's answer to me:

"Thank you for your letter about the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The replacement project team has very carefully considered many ideas and proposals. Following thorough evaluation, we have chosen the tunnel as the best choice to replace the Viaduct and Seawall.

I was disappointed to see an anti-annexation group take part in Burien's annual Fourth of July Parade.

Forty-eight antique wooden horses are the new attraction at the Woodland Park Zoo when a historic carousel opens on July 22.

The Philadelphia Toboggan Company was commissioned to build the carousel and horses for the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918. The zoo operated the carousel for 56 years before selling it to the Great American Theme Park in Santa Clara, California in the mid-1970s. In 1999, the park sold the carousel and horses to Linda and Tom Allen with the Allieniana Foundation.